FEATURED REGATTAS: June 5, 2008
 

One of Split’s sailing legends and the PRO for the 2008 Star Eastern European Championship Regatta, Zlatan Zoricic capped off this morning’s press conference by letting the star-studded fleet know that they were likely to be postponed on shore for the second day in a row.  Zoricic, however, was optimistic that the mostly sunny skies would bode well for sailing.  However, the sky clouded over before the sun got a chance to heat up the verdant hills and allow the wind to start to circulate. 

Using every opportunity they can get to practice in light air before the Olympics, the fleet headed out to the Alpha Course between the islands of Ciovo and Solta.  The RC mobilized, but the wind never filled and the boats returned to shore.   

After having plenty of time to eat lunch and check e-mails in the comfort of Y.C. Labud, the fleet headed back out.  This time they sailed south to the Bravo Course between the mainland and Brac, the largest island in Central Dalmatia.  The scenery was equally as spectacular as on the Alpha course and the southwesterly proved equally as fickle and illusive.  Tows were organized and the crews were back on the docks by 17:45.  “You can’t say that we’re not trying,” said Srdjan Cicarelli, a volunteer and one of two local sailors who was a member of the +39 America’s Cup team along with former Star World Champion and Finn Olympic Gold medalist, Iain Percy, and crew, Andrew Simpson (GBR).  For the 18 sailors and their coaches who are heading to the 2008 Olympics, waiting, towing and maintaining patience is good preparation for Qingdao.

Star fleet returning to the basin at Y.C. Labud.  Photo taken by Lynn Fitzpatrick.